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C L A S S N OT E S
Karen Vaughan McManus,
J.D. ’97, has been named
Managing Director of
International Legal &
Regulatory Affairs at FedEx
Logistics, Inc. in Memphis,
Tenn.
J. Eric Romano, J.D. ’97, of
Romano Law Group, was
recently sworn in as president
of the Florida Justice
Association for the 2020-2021
year. He will spend the next
year dedicated to preserving
and strengthening the civil
justice system in Florida,
ensuring that all Floridians
have full and equal access to
the courts.
Sean McQuaid,
J.D./MBA ’00,
was sworn in as
the 96th
President of the
St. Petersburg
Bar Association in May 2020.
His term in office will last for
one year. He is a personal
injury attorney with McQuaid
& Douglas.
Bob Gualtieri,
J.D. ’02 and
Pinellas County
Sheriff, received
the 2020
Leadership
Award from the Police
Executive Research Forum
(PERF). In the 25 years that
PERF has presented the
Leadership Award, Gualtieri is
the first sheriff to receive this
recognition. PERF is an
independent research
organization that focuses on
critical issues in policing.
J.D. Dickenson, J.D. ’02, has
been appointed as office
managing partner for the firm
Cozen O’Connor’s West Palm
Beach office.
Christa L. Folkers, J.D. ’03,
joined Berlin Patten Ebling
PLLC, becoming the 18th
attorney in the firm’s growing
practice. Christa is a boardcertified
real estate attorney.
She concentrates her practice in
commercial and residential real
estate and handles all aspects of
real estate transactions and
development, including
condominiums and planned
developments. Christa
represents developers, investors,
builders, lenders, and
individuals in connection with
purchase and sale transactions.
Michelle Johnson-Weider,
B.A. ’00, J.D. ’03, graduated
from the University of Arkansas
College of Law with an LL.M.
in Agriculture and Food Law.
She is a professorial lecturer in
law (adjunct faculty)
co-teaching Legislative Analysis
and Drafting at The George
Washington College of Law.
She also is an attorney adviser
at the Department of Health
and Human Services with a
total of 16 years of Federal
service between HHS, the
Food and Nutrition Service,
and the United States Senate.
James Russell
Headley, J.D./
MBA ’03,
received a
Florida Bar
President’s Pro
Bono Service Award for the
10th Judicial Circuit. Since
becoming an attorney 16 years
ago, Headley has counseled
hundreds of veterans regarding
filing for service-connected
compensation with the U.S.
Veterans Administration. He
has never charged a veteran for
this service. Headley also helps
with record requests, research
for potential claims, and with
applications for potential
veterans’ benefits.
Thomas Daniel Oates, J.D.
’03, partner with The Law
Offices of Oates & Oates, P.A.,
was appointed commissioner of
the 17th Circuit Judicial
Nominating Committee (JNC)
for a term ending July 1, 2024.
Theresa Jean-Pierre Coy, J.D.
’04, received the 2020 G. Kirk
Haas Humanitarian Award
from The Florida Bar during
the 2020 Annual Convention.
Natasha L.
Goodley, J.D.
’05, was
recognized by
the City of
Tampa with a
commendation for her great
work as East Tampa CRA
(Community Redevelopment
Area) Community Advisory
Committee Chair and efforts
to bring about much-needed
economic development.
Goodley is Senior Consultant
at Black & White Consulting.
William
Giltinan, J.D.
’06, was one of
three Carlton
Fields intellectual
property
attorneys recognized as some of
the world’s top trademark
professionals in the 10th
edition of the WTR 1000. The
WTR 1000 commended
practice group leader Giltinan,
who is a “commercially aware
lawyer with deep experience
and a calm and approachable
demeanor.” The firm also
ranked as one of Florida’s top
trademark law firms.
Laurie Sharpe,
J.D. ’06, joined
the Deerfield
Beach office of
Chartwell Law.
Sharpe joined the
firm as a partner and will focus
her practice on first-party
property matters. Before
joining the firm, she was part
of the in-house counsel for a
property and casualty insurance
company in Clearwater.
J. Giffin
Chumley, J.D.
’06, is rejoining
Fishback
Dominick as a
partner. Chumley
first began his career at
Fishback Dominick in 2006.
He is board certified by the
Florida Bar in City, County,
and Local Government Law.
Prior to his return, Chumley
served as an assistant county
attorney for Volusia County for
eight years.
Art Rios, J.D.
’06, published a
self-help book,
“Let’s Talk…
About Making
Your Life
Exciting, Easier and
Exceptional,” that is a
bestseller in multiple categories
on Amazon.
Erin
Whittemore
Lohmiller, J.D.
’06, was named
managing
attorney of The
Whittemore Law Group, P.A.
(WLG). She is responsible for
overseeing daily operations of
the entire firm including
technology, organizational
efficiency and marketing. She
will also continue to represent
clients in the areas of personal
injury, wrongful death and
probate litigation.
The Hon.
Michael C.
Baggé-
Hernández, J.D.
’07, has been
selected as a
leader in the Greater Tampa